Protective apparatus face shield

ABSTRACT

Provided is a protective apparatus comprising a face shield and visor assembly having a plurality of apertures, wherein the face shield extends beyond the top of the visor to provide additional protection from foreign matter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/240,320, filed Sep. 2, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to the field of hygienic equipment and apparatus for maintaining hygiene and reducing transmission of microbial species. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a protective apparatus that may comprise a visor and a transparent shield, where the shield may be flexible and may extend above the visor in order to provide additional protection.

SUMMARY

It is advantageous and hygienic to reduce the spread of harmful pathogens that may be airborne or spread via droplets or other fomites. A convenient option to reduce the spread of certain microbial species is by physical occlusion or blockage using an inert barrier material. To that end, a protective apparatus comprising a transparent face shield will allow for ease of use, communication, and minimal vision blockage while also providing a physical barrier to prevent the spread of microbes, either from sources external to the user, or from the user spreading to their environment.

In some embodiments, the protective apparatus comprises a face shield and visor combination, the entire apparatus protecting a user from microbes and foreign matter. The visor may comprise an outer surface, an inner surface, a front section, and rear sections. The inner surface includes a plurality of attachment points disposed thereon, and the rear sections includes discrete flexible ends. The visor may include a headband portion that extends around the curvature of the visor and may encompass the rear sections. The flexible ends may include notched attachment points to attach straps, loops, or other flexible materials to secure the visor. The front section may include a brim and may comprise a channel and a plurality of apertures. The channel may be hollow in the sense that it is open to allow the face shield to pass through the visor brim and extend above and below the visor. The channel may also comprise a plurality of recessed grooves. The face shield may comprise a transparent material shaped to fit inside the channel, where the face shield can extend above and below the channel to provide protection for the face and above the forehead.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a profile view of a protective apparatus comprising a shield and visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an aerial view of the visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a protective apparatus including a visor and a shield, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B shows an interior perspective view of a primary attachment point on the interior of the visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3C shows an interior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a primary attachment point on the interior of the visor.

FIG. 3D shows an interior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a primary attachment point on the interior of the visor.

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the shield, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bottom of a protective apparatus including a shield and visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an aerial view of a protective apparatus including a shield and visor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a protective apparatus including a visor and a shield, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows an interior perspective view of a primary attachment point on the interior of the visor, according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

In many instances, individuals may wish to prevent the spread of microbial based diseases and of foreign matter from reaching mucous membranes around the head, while ensuring that visibility and the ability to communicate is not significantly compromised. Many individuals, including those working in dental and medical practices, may utilize a clear transparent covering worn over the head which can physically intercept microbes and foreign matter, where the transparent covering may be attached to a band which can encompass and grip the circumference of the individual's head. However, the design of such transparent coverings may not allow for sufficient protection of mucous membranes from microbes and foreign matter traveling from angles significantly above the plane of the band, which can often be case where the individual is seated and interacting with a supine patient, like during a dental examination. In these instances, where the transparent covering ends at the band, the band itself may be susceptible to splatter and contamination by foreign matter and worse yet, the individual wearing the transparent covering may be exposed to the foreign matter coming in above the plane of the band.

The present disclosure remedies these splatter and contamination incidents from above the plane of the band by, for example, creating a shape and design of protective apparatus that extends substantially above the band. For example, the protective apparatus described herein may include a face shield and visor combination, designed to provide protection from splatter and foreign matter coming in from above the band of the visor assembly that would otherwise reach the user. In some instances, the visor may include a brim portion and a headband portion, wherein the headband wraps around at least a portion of the user's head and contacts the user's head to secure the visor assembly to the user. The visor brim may extend away from the user's forehead and may also extend down at an angle from the plane of the band around the user's head. In some instances, the visor may include cut outs or apertures to provide for ventilation. For example, the visor may include a cut out section behind the shield which allows for gases and sound generated by a wearer to easily escape, while also allowing for air to be exchanged from the environment, thus preventing fogging on the face shield and thereby maintaining good visibility.

In some embodiments, the visor comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surface may include a plurality of attachment points disposed thereon for attaching the face shield to the visor.

In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may be comprised of an attachment post on the interior of the visor to allow for securely attaching the face shield to the visor. In some embodiments, the attachment of the shield to the visor is reversible, and the shield can be removed to be cleaned or replaced when it becomes contaminated or otherwise dirty. In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may also include one or more retaining clips to further secure the face shield to the visor at the attachment point. In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may also include one or more clip posts instead of, or in addition to, the retaining clip, where the clip post, in one embodiment, extends downward from the interior surface of the visor and may press the shield against the interior of the visor. Thus, in some embodiments, the face shield may be secured to the visor through a combination of the attachment posts, retaining clips, and/or clip posts.

In some embodiments, the visor may include discrete flexible ends, formed to follow the contours of a human head, which allow for the visor to rest above the ears, or alternatively, to grip the head for a secure fitment. In some embodiments, the discrete flexible ends may have a notch or notches to allow for straps and fabrics to attach to the flexible ends and provide for a stronger and more secure fitment of the visor.

In some embodiments, the visor, particularly the visor brim, may include a channel which allows for the shield to pass through the visor and extend above the plane of the visor's headband. In some embodiments, the channel also helps to secure the shield to the visor. In some embodiments, the channel may also include a plurality of recessed grooves.

In some embodiments, the shield is shaped to extend above the plane of the visor, as well as below the plane to protect from foreign matter and microbial agents. In some embodiments, the shield contains a plurality of attachment points which allow for snap-in, detachable fitment to the visor. In some embodiments, the attachment points correspond to the attachment posts on the visor, allowing for snap-in, detachable fitment between the visor and the shield.

FIG. 1 shows a profile view of an embodiment of the protective apparatus 100 for preventing splatter events and contamination by foreign matter, while also allowing airflow to prevent fogging on the apparatus. In some embodiments, the protective apparatus 100 may be made of plastic or similar material that is durable and able to be formed and shaped during manufacturing in an efficient manner. The protective apparatus 100 may comprise a visor 120 and a face shield 110. In some embodiments, the protective apparatus 100 may be formed of a combination of different materials, for example the visor 120 may be made of a different material than the face shield 110.

In some embodiments, the visor 120 may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or a similar material. In some embodiments, the visor 120 is manufactured through injection molding processes. The visor 120 may be integrated with a headband portion 130 and a brim portion 125. In some instances, the headband may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or similar material. In some embodiments, the headband 130 further includes ends 140. In some instances, the ends 140 may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or similar material. In some instances, the ends 140 may include a divot or notch 127 where the ends meet the headband 130 for attaching straps, for example those made of flexible materials like fabrics, fasteners, or strings. The notches 127 provides a beneficial way to attach straps to the visor so that the straps can provide for a stronger and more secure fitment of the visor or when needed, the visor may be maintained around the user's neck while not being worn on the head. The visor 120 may also include one or more external protrusions 123 that may vertically span portions of the headband 130 and visor brim 125 on the exterior surface of the visor 120. On the exterior surface of the visor 120, the protrusion may extend outward from the contour of the headband 130 and visor brim 125. In some embodiments, the protrusion 123 blends into the contour of the brim 125 as the protrusion 123 extends downward.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the protective apparatus may also comprise a shield 110. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is capable of being removably attached to the visor 120. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is shaped in a manner to provide protection and physical occlusion from foreign matter entering from substantially above and below the plane of the visor. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is formed from polycarbonate or similar material. In certain embodiments, the shield 110 is formed from fully or semi-transparent materials.

FIG. 1 further shows that the visor 120 may include one or more apertures 200 and a channel 210, where the one or more 200 apertures may be located behind the channel 210 according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is inserted into the channel 210 to extend above and below the major plane of the visor 120. The channel 210 is shaped in such a way as to allow a shield 110 to extend above and below the channel 210 and the visor 120. In some embodiments, the channel 210 is placed directly in front of the apertures 200. In some embodiments, the channel 210 further includes recessed grooves 220 (as described in further detail with relation to FIG. 2 ).

In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends 1-2 inches above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends approximately 1.5 inches above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends 6-9 inches below the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends above the channel 210 less than 10% of its total height at the center point of the shield, or otherwise measured from the bottom portion of the shield to the top portion of the shield. In some embodiments, between 10% and 20% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, approximately 20% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 20% and 30% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 30% and 40% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 40% and 50% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the ratio of portion of the shield extending below the channel compared to the portion extending above the channel is approximately 9:2, measured from the bottom portion of the shield to the top portion of the shield. In other embodiments, the ratio is 3:1 or 4:1 or 5:1.

FIG. 2 shows an aerial top perspective view of the visor 120 of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. The visor 120 in the top perspective view includes an example of the integrated headband 130, as well as the ends 140. The perspective view shows that the headband 130 is shaped substantially so as to accommodate a human head, and to fit around a human forehead. Additionally, FIG. 2 shows that the visor 120 may further comprise a plurality of apertures 200. The apertures 200 may be in any shape, for example, a rectangular or circular opening. The apertures 200 generally allow for air exchange and ventilation to prevent fogging on the shield 110 by allowing for less condensate that would otherwise build up due to temperature differentials from inadequate ventilation.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the protective apparatus 100, including the visor 120 and the shield 110. Similarly, FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the interior of the visor 120, according to an embodiment. Visible in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a primary attachment point 330 on the interior of the visor 120. In some embodiments, the interior of the headband 130 may include an interior flat wall 300, which may serve as part of the attachment point 330. In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may be an indentation in the visor 120 at the top of the interior flat wall 300 that represents the interior side of the external protrusion 123. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, side walls 311 may be included adjacent to interior flat wall 300 at the indentation portion of the interior flat wall 300.

In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may extend downward such that, in relation to the contour of the visor 120, the interior flat wall 300 crosses over from being an indentation on the interior of the visor 120 at the top of the visor 120 to jutting out from the interior of the visor 120 as an internal step 315 at the bottom of the visor 120. For example, in one embodiment, the interior flat wall 300 may extend substantially vertically downward in relation to the contour of the rest of the visor 120 that exists nearby the interior flat wall 300.

The attachment point 330 may include a temple attachment post 320, which in some embodiments may be positioned on the interior flat wall 300, and may further be positioned on the internal step 315 portion of the interior flat wall 300. The temple attachment post 320 may, in some embodiments, may protrude inwards from the surface of the interior flat wall 300. As shown in FIG. 3A, the temple attachment post 320 acts to receive the shield 110 through a hole in the shield 110 in order to attach and secure the shield 110 to the visor 120. Although referred to as a temple attachment post, the attachment post (and associated elements of the attachment point 330) may be located at a position posterior to user's temple. In some embodiments, the attachment post 320 may be located at a position between the user's temple and the user's anterior canal. In some embodiments, the attachment post 320 may be located above the user's ear, and in other embodiments, the attachment post may be located posterior to the user's ear.

Additionally, the attachment point 330 may include a retaining clip 310 located adjacent to the interior flat wall 300. In some embodiments, the retaining clip 310 may include a clip post 312 that extends generally downward from the interior surface of the visor 120, for example from the headband 130. In some embodiments, the retaining clip 310 is located adjacent to the interior flat wall 300 in a direction toward the front of the visor 120. In some embodiments, the clip post 312 may begin at some location on the sidewall 311 and extend generally downward from the sidewall 311. As part of the retaining clip 310, a gap may exist between the clip post 312 and the internal surface of the visor 120. In this manner, the retaining clip 310 may receive and secure a portion of the shield 110 in the gap between the clip post 312 and the interior surface of the visor 120. The clip post 312 may exert pressure on this received portion of shield 110 to press it against the interior surface of the visor 120. Additionally, the shield 110 may also be pressed against, and lie flush with, the surface of the interior flat wall 300 when the shield is secured by the retaining clip 310 and attached to the temple post 320.

The visor 120 may also include an underlip 316 that extends downward below the channel 210 and follows around the contour of the visor 120 and/or channel 210 and sits below the channel 210. In some embodiments, the underlip 316 ends at the channel ends 215 on each side. In some embodiments the underlip 316 extends beyond the channel ends 215 toward the attachment point 330, and in other embodiments the underlip 316 encompasses only a portion or portions of the area on the visor 120 below the channel 210. As the underlip 316 curves towards the back of the visor 120, the underlip 316 may be in substantially the same plane as the interior flat wall 300. FIG. 4 shows the alignment of the underlip 316 and the interior flat wall 300 in substantially the same plane.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the shield 110 may be sized and shaped to fit through the channel 210 in the visor 120. In some embodiments, a portion of the shield 110 on each side of the visor 120 extends back beyond the channel end 215 to reach the primary attachment points 330 on each side of the visor 120. This back portion of the shield 110 may remain below the headband 130 of the visor 120. When the shield 110 is place in the visor 120, the shield 110 may rest against the interior surface of the underlip 316 which will help to secure the shield 110 in the visor 120. In some embodiments, the underlip 316 extends in a generally vertically downward direction, such that when the shield 110 is secured in place in the visor 120, the shield 110 is substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the visor 120. For example, FIGS. 6 and 8 show the alignment of the underlip 316 and the interior flat wall 300 in substantially the same plane and also shows that back portion of the shield 110 follows this plane and is pressed against underlip 316 and the interior flat wall 300. The channel ends 215 may also serve as additional pressure points to secure the shield 110, such that the top edge of the shield 110 may contact and press against channel ends 215.

In some embodiments, the shield 110 is made from a substantially flat sheet of plastic material without pre-existing curvature in the shield 110 prior to assembly with the visor 120. Thus, the curvature of the channel 210 in the visor 120 establishes the curvature of the shield 110 when placed in the visor 120. Using a substantially flat sheet for the shield 110 in this manner creates pressure in the channel 210 (and for example, creates pressure against the underlip 316) as the shield 110 is forced into a curved shape different than its original substantially flat arrangement. The pressure created by the shield 110 against the visor 120 serves to assist in securing the shield 110 in the visor, and minimizes the number of attachment points need to secure the shield 110 to the visor 120.

In some embodiments, a plurality of retaining clips 310 can be shaped to guide and secure the shield 110 relative to the visor 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of retaining clips 310 are placed directly adjacent to the interior flat wall 300, and the temple post 320. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is held in place by a combination of friction and mechanical linkage or couplings.

FIG. 3C shows an alternative embodiment for the primary attachment point 330. Here the retaining clip 310 comprises a clip post 313 that may extend substantially vertically downward from the interior wall of the visor 120. The clip post 313 may be adjacent to, but separate from, the interior flat wall 300 and the side wall 311. FIG. 3D shows an alternative embodiment for the primary attachment point 330 which includes interior flat wall 300 and a temple post 320, but does not include a separate retaining clip or clip post.

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the visor, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 shows that the interior of the visor 120 may further include one or more attachment points 330, each of which may include a fore post 400. The fore posts 400 may be positioned on the underlip 316 (for example, on an upper portion of the underlip 316) and may extend some distance from the surface of the underlip into the channel 210. In some embodiments, the channel 210 may include a recessed groove 220 cut into the edge of the visor 120 to provide space around each fore post 400. The recessed groove 220 allows space for attachment of the shield 110 on the fore posts 400. In some embodiments, the inside of the visor 120 may also include a retaining clip 310, which may be used alone or in conjunction with the fore post 400 and/or recessed groove 220 to help attach and secure the shield 110 to the visor 120.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the shield 110 according to an embodiment. The rear view of the shield 110 shows how a shield 110 may be shaped according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, so as to extend above and below a visor 120. In some embodiments, the shield further comprises a plurality of temple holes 510 and fore holes 500. More generally, the shield may comprise securement implements for attaching the shield 110 to the visor 120, where the temple holes 510 and fore holes 500 are types of securement implements that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

As explained above, the shield 110 may be attached and detached from the visor 120. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is inserted into the channel 210 to extend above and below the major plane of the visor 120. The temple holes 510 and fore holes 500 may correspond to the temple posts 320 and fore posts 400, respectively, and allow for mechanical attachment and fitment of the shield 110 to the visor 120 at these points. In some embodiments, the temple holes 510 align and are shaped to correspond to the temple posts 320. Further, in some embodiments, the fore holes 500 align and are shaped to correspond to the fore posts 400. In some embodiments, the fitment of either fore holes 500 or temple holes 510 or a combination thereof to temple posts 320 and fore posts 400 or a combination thereof is sufficient to keep the shield 110 attached and secured to the visor 120. The temple posts and the fore posts may be sized and positioned around the interior of the visor 120 or headband 130 to prevent the shield 110 from moving once affixed or coupled to the visor 120. In some instances, the shield 110 may attach to the visor 120 using press or snap couplings, or any other coupling that will enable the shield 110 to become fixed in place relative to the visor 120.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the protective apparatus 100 including the shield 110 and visor 120 according to an embodiment. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows an aerial view of the protective apparatus 100 including the shield 110 and visor 120 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. Both FIGS. 6 and 7 show how a shield 110 can fit within a channel 210 to extend both above and below a visor 120.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a protective apparatus 100, including the visor 120 and the shield 110. FIG. 8 is similar to the perspective view shown in FIG. 3A, except with differences as depicted in the figures. FIG. 9 shows an interior perspective view of a primary attachment point on the interior of the visor, according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 .

Visible in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a primary attachment point 330 on the interior of the visor 120. In some embodiments, the interior of the headband 130 may include an interior flat wall 300, which may serve as part of the attachment point 330. In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may be an indentation in the visor 120 at the top of the interior flat wall 300 that represents the interior side of the external protrusion 123. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , side walls 311 may be included adjacent to interior flat wall 300 at the indentation portion of the interior flat wall 300.

In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may extend downward such that, in relation to the contour of the visor 120, the interior flat wall 300 crosses over from being an indentation on the interior of the visor 120 at the top of the visor 120 to jutting out from the interior of the visor 120 as an internal step 315 at the bottom of the visor 120. For example, in one embodiment, the interior flat wall 300 may extend substantially vertically downward in relation to the contour of the rest of the visor 120 that exists nearby the interior flat wall 300.

The attachment point 330 may include a temple attachment post 320, which in some embodiments may be positioned on the interior flat wall 300, and may further be positioned on the internal step 315 portion of the interior flat wall 300. The temple attachment post 320 may, in some embodiments, may protrude inwards from the surface of the interior flat wall 300. As shown in FIG. 8 , the temple attachment post 320 acts to receive the shield 110 through a hole in the shield 110 in order to attach and secure the shield 110 to the visor 120. The interior flat wall 300 may extend down to be flush with the bottom surface of the visor 120 and the temple attachment post 320 may be at the bottom of the interior flat wall 300. As shown in FIG. 9 , the interior flat wall 300 may extend below the bottom surface of the visor 120, such that the temple attachment post 320 also extends, at least partially, below the bottom surface of the visor 120.

Additionally, the attachment point 330 may include a clip post 313 that extends substantially vertically downward from the interior wall of the visor 120. The clip post 313 may be adjacent to, but separate from, the interior flat wall 300 and the side wall 311. In an embodiment, the clip post 313 may extend down to be flush with the bottom of the visor 120. In an embodiment, the bottom of the clip post 313 may be higher up than the temple attachment post 320 (that is, the clip post 313 does not extend as far down vertically as the bottom of the attachment post 320).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the visor 120 may include an underlip 316 that extends downward below the channel 210 and follows around the contour of the visor 120 and/or channel 210 and sits below the channel 210. In some embodiments, the underlip 316 may extend down to be substantially flush with bottom the visor 120 (e.g., FIG. 3D). In some embodiments, the underlip 316 may not extend to the bottom of the visor 120 (e.g., FIG. 3C and FIG. 9 ).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , in some embodiments, the visor brim portion 125 of the visor 120 terminates before reaching the ends 140 of the the headband portion 130 of the visor 120. In this manner, the outward curvature of the visor brim 125 ends at or before the ends 140 of the visor and the headband 130 portion continues until reaching the ends 140 of the visor.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the present disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective apparatus comprising: a visor comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, and comprising a headband portion and a brim portion, wherein the inner surface comprises one or more attachment points disposed thereon, and wherein the brim portion comprises a hollow channel therethrough and having a curvature around the brim portion, and wherein the brim portion further comprises one or more apertures located behind the channel; and a shield shaped to fit within the channel and extend above and below the channel and follow the curvature of the channel in the brim portion, wherein the shield is configured to attach to the visor at the one or more attachment points.
 2. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the attachment points comprises an attachment post.
 3. The protective apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises an interior flat wall and the attachment post extends internally from the interior flat wall.
 4. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the attachment points comprises a retaining clip.
 5. The protective apparatus of claim 4, wherein the retaining clip comprises a clip post.
 6. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visor further comprises an underlip disposed at least partially below the channel on the interior surface of the visor.
 7. The protective apparatus of claim 6, wherein the shield is configured to rest against the underlip when positioned in the channel.
 8. The protective apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises a fore post disposed on the underlip.
 9. The protective apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fore post extends at least partially within the channel.
 10. The protective apparatus of claim 9, wherein the channel comprises a recessed groove to accommodate the fore post.
 11. The protective apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visor further comprises a ends having notches, wherein the notches provide a point for attaching straps to the visor. 